Software Index

NOTE: This was the annoucement. Should become a more comprehensive description with user instructions.

Hi all, after some experimentation, a new tool is up and running on the GNUstep server to improve the user's experience of GNUstep:

 http://www.gnustep.org/softwareindex/ 

The idea behind is to have a complete and easily maintained repository of GNUstep based applications.

It is NOT thought to replace any home page of applications, the Wiki entries etc. because these can give much more individual information than just an index. It is like a directory - you get enough information to go to the individual self-presentation.

Therefore, it does not store any code but allows to save links where users can then download.

Please note that we have a top10 index to see which pages are popular. And, there is a hidden link which produces an XML property list of the full database. This could become the basis for a GNUstep software update manager, although it might be incompatible with the package manager concepts of Linux distributions, where GNUstep is and should remain included.

The link is:

 http://www.gnustep.org/softwareindex/plist.php 

You can also use RSS to receive update notifications:

 http://www.gnustep.org/softwareindex/rss.php 

Now, to the data base itself. Each application (or framework or whatever we want to put in) has a unique index. Updates that are submitted (i.e. new versions) are automatically linked, so that it becomes an archive of the "release" history.

Anyone can submit new entries or request changes to existing entries (i.e. if there are broken URLs, typos etc.). Just go to the Edit function and request the change.

There are registered users with additional privileges. The highest level is a "manager". A manager can look into the change requests and approve/reject them individually. "standard" users can add comments and track application updates (not only through RSS but by e-mail).

Finally some more comments:

• the origin of this database is in www.killefiz.de (which was very

popular for the Sharp Zaurus)

• it resembles a little the principles of versiontracker.com or

macupdates.com

• it is open source
• it uses php / mysql
• it is open for changes by the managers of the GNUstep home page
• if you need something changed in the system (not the content),

please contact me of file a bug

Now comes your part:

Applications do not come into the database by magic. So, if you are the maintainer of any GNUstep related application or framework, please add it to the database. Today. And add any updates, tomorrow.

Happy working, Nikolaus